The Village Maypole
There are differing versions of when and where dancing around the maypole first began. Some historians believe it was brought to this country by invading marauders but many can agree, the ritual was first performed in Roman Britain over 2,000 years ago.  Originally, a tree was decorated around which soldiers would dance to thank their goddess Flora for the arrival of spring. However, by the arrival of the 19th century, the tree had been replaced with a maypole and ribbons were added for a more theatrical feel. These days, the maypole is synonymous with the term ‘Merrie England’ and although dancing around the maypole does not hold the same pagan connotations it once did, it is still frequently used in some villages as part of the spectacle for the 1st of May celebrations.
It is difficult to date exactly when the first maypole appeared in our own village but from the attached photograph, we can assume that there was one in use at the early part of the last century. (There may even be someone reading this who performed at the maypole as a child. If so, we would love to hear your stories about it.) We are led to believe that the original village maypole was stored in St Peter’s churchyard where at some point, it disappeared until the late 1990s when the Traders Association generously funded a replacement and donated it to the village.  Finding an artist to paint the traditional and very intricate, red, white and blue twisting design was not easy but fortunately, a Hillmorton craftsman, John Bromley was found and commissioned to carry out the work. The cost of the project was approximately £2,000 and in 2012, the maypole was removed and once again, expertly painted by John in readiness for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee when once again, children delighted folk with a traditional maypole dance. Sadly, John has since ‘passed away’ but the excellent condition of the maypole is testament to his craftmanship and his memory lives on with the addition of the memorial plaque which can be found at the base of the maypole.